From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-A subdued palette of forest greens and a sky washed with shades of indigo evoke the stillness of the woods just before sunrise. In the clearing, sparks from a fire spiral into the night; Jake and his father are camping out. Cozy as their plaid flannel shirts, this picture book enfolds readers in the warmth and closeness of this father/son relationship. The fabric of the story is as carefully crafted as the quilts that serve as illustrations. As she did in Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts (Greenwillow, 2001), Hines has masterfully created an evocative backdrop for this touching story. The deep nighttime hues transition to lavenders and corals as the boy and his dad whistle up the dawn and the sun peeks over the horizon. With a deft touch, the artist stitches individual pieces of patterned cloth into place, choosing each for its subtle creation of mood. Similarly, Partridge embroiders the details of the text with a poetic flair that adds texture and engages all the senses. As a result of this lyrical pairing, the book's quiet simplicity is a compelling and seamlessly woven collage of art and text. The final pages detail the quilter's technique so readers can create a story quilt of their own.Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 1. In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a little boy and his father, who are camping out, awaken before dawn. As the sky gradually lightens, the boy wonders if he's ready. Ready for what? He is learning to whistle. After many tries and some encouragement, he finally succeeds, whistling again and again. The birds answer, his father joins in, and the sun comes up: "We whistled up the sun." The book ends with a photo-illustrated double-page spread explaining the embroidered-and-appliqued fabric technique Hines used for the lovely artwork, which creates a striking illusion of depth through the layering of material in subtle colors and patterns. Words and illustrations together communicate the tranquility of the setting, the anxiety of the child, and his satisfaction when the sun rises. Young children will enjoy the story; adults will find the unusual and distinctive illustrations fascinating. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
"Jake," Daddy whispers. "It's almost time."
As the sky begins to lighten, Jake and his daddy, camping in the forest, awaken with a special plan for greeting the day.
Elizabeth Partridge's story about a father and son spending time together is illustrated with stunning hand-sewn quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines.
Card catalog description
While on a camping trip with his father, a boy draws on the whistling practice they have shared and finally whistles up the sun.
About the Author
Elizabeth Partridge is the author of This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and other acclaimed works. She and her husband live in the San Francisco Bay area.
Whistling ANNOTATION
While on a camping trip with his father, a boy draws on the whistling practice they have shared and finally whistles up the sun.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Jake," Daddy whispers. "It's almost time."
As the sky begins to lighten, Jake and his daddy, camping in the forest, awaken with a special plan for greeting the day.
Elizabeth Partridge's story about a father and son spending time together is illustrated with stunning hand-sewn quilts by Anna Grossnickle Hines.
FROM THE CRITICS
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-A subdued palette of forest greens and a sky washed with shades of indigo evoke the stillness of the woods just before sunrise. In the clearing, sparks from a fire spiral into the night; Jake and his father are camping out. Cozy as their plaid flannel shirts, this picture book enfolds readers in the warmth and closeness of this father/son relationship. The fabric of the story is as carefully crafted as the quilts that serve as illustrations. As she did in Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts (Greenwillow, 2001), Hines has masterfully created an evocative backdrop for this touching story. The deep nighttime hues transition to lavenders and corals as the boy and his dad whistle up the dawn and the sun peeks over the horizon. With a deft touch, the artist stitches individual pieces of patterned cloth into place, choosing each for its subtle creation of mood. Similarly, Partridge embroiders the details of the text with a poetic flair that adds texture and engages all the senses. As a result of this lyrical pairing, the book's quiet simplicity is a compelling and seamlessly woven collage of art and text. The final pages detail the quilter's technique so readers can create a story quilt of their own.-Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Simply gorgeous illustrations adorn a poetic boy-and-his-dad story. Jake's Daddy wakes him just before dawn, as he's curled up in his sleeping bag next to the campfire Daddy's tending. Jake is not sure he's ready, but Daddy thinks he is. He tries once (too hard) and once more (too soft) but then Jake is whistling softly as little creatures watch. The birds begin to sing, the last star winks out, and Daddy joins Jake in whistling, as the sun comes up. "We whistled up the sun." This tender story of a family ritual unfolds to the full-page images from Hines, who makes her pictures in quilts. Every single piece of fabric is perfect, from the hand-painted sky fabrics to the rough-textured plaids of Jake and Daddy's shirts. Her shapes, forms, and patterns are elegantly chosen and pieced seamlessly to make pictures that richly repay repeated examination. She supplies a fascinating two pages of detailed description as to how she made the illustrations. Children will be entranced by the unaffected sweetness and gentle rhythms of both story and pictures and their magical sense of family love and devotion to the natural world. (Picture book. 4-8)
Art & Photography
Book Info
